On June 8, 2025, Theater Tol brought music, movement, and poetic storytelling to the Lourdes Grotto of Meersel-Dreef in honor of its 130th anniversary. Beneath the trees and beside the stone, an audience gathered for a one-night open-air performance where bicycles rolled through the grounds, live musicians set the rhythm, and music echoed through this sacred place.
This special performance combined two of Theater Tol’s beloved ground-based productions: Bike Parade and Mariage Fantastique. Three bicycles carried dancers and a live singer through the site, while the mobile orchestra wove live brass and percussion through the space, guiding the audience from one emotional moment to the next.
It was a performance created for this place – blending history, devotion, and music into one unforgettable evening.
To mark the occasion, we asked our guest singer, Emma Posman, to reflect on what it was like to perform with Theater Tol for the very first time – especially in a site so deeply tied to memory and meaning.
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Q&A with Emma Posman
This was your first time performing with Theater Tol. How would you describe stepping into our world of moving bicycles, live music, and storytelling woven into public spaces?
Emma:
It was a magical experience, stepping into a world that blends music, movement, flamboyant costumes, and public space in such a dynamic way. The combination of live music, the fluidity of the bicycles, and the immersive nature of the storytelling creates a space where the audience becomes part of the performance. There’s a sense of freedom in how everything moves and shifts. And yet, because of the setting – surrounded by trees and artists moving around them – it also felt like a more intimate concert. For me, it was the first time singing on a bike, and it challenged me as an artist to be adaptable, present, and constantly in tune with the other musicians and the crowd. It was exhilarating to be part of such a unique, fluid performance.
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The Lourdes Grotto is such a powerful, historic location. How did it feel to perform in a space so deeply connected to devotion and memory?
Emma:
The location is steeped in profound history and emotion. You can feel the weight of all the memories and devotion tied to that space – especially knowing there hasn’t been a single day when a candle wasn’t lit there. To be able to perform in such a setting, and to add something meaningful to that continuum, was deeply moving. It felt like participating in a larger, shared experience with the audience. That sense of reverence certainly shaped my performance, making it feel more intimate and purposeful.
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Singing live outdoors, with the audience surrounding you and nature playing its role, brings unique challenges and energy. How did that influence your performance?
Emma:
Singing outdoors is always an adventure – you can’t escape the wind or the rain. There’s a certain unpredictability that adds excitement and makes you more alert and present. I had to consider how not to let my balloons get tangled in the beech trees! And during the first aria, the birds were still singing – it was beautiful. The audience’s energy shifts in response not only to the music but also to the natural world around them, and that creates a communal feeling you don’t often get in a traditional indoor venue. Every note felt like it carried on the wind, which made the experience even more powerful.
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What moment from the evening will stay with you the most?
Emma:
There were several. The excitement of getting ready together – putting on our costumes and makeup – created such a warm, supportive atmosphere. I was a bit anxious about climbing onto the bike for the first time, but thanks to my fantastic colleagues, it turned out to be fun. I felt free, graceful, and strong – singing up in the air. And then, during the final aria, “Je veux vivre” by Gounod, unexpected fireworks lit up the sky. It ended the night with a bang – literally – and made the moment unforgettable.
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We are grateful for this special collaboration, and for all the artists, audiences, and community members who made this evening possible. Theater Tol continues to explore how location, movement, and live music can come together to create stories that belong to both the place and its people.
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Want to bring Theater Tol to your city or event?
Visit www.theatertol.com or contact Talitha at talitha@theatertol.com.
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